The Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually Minded

But after a while, when a sense of those Temporary Impressions is worn off, finding no real Spiritual Benefit by it, they loose all delight in it, and become very indifferent as unto its Enjoyment. The Frame which such Persons at length arrive unto is described, Mal. 1.13. and 3.14. And none can give any greater Evidence of the Decay of all manner of Grace in them, or of their being destitute of all Saving-Grace, than when they apostatize from some degree of Zeal for, and Delight in the Dispensation of the Word of God, with such a cursed Indifferency, as many are overtaken withal. It cannot be otherwise. For seeing this is a way and means of the Exercise of all Grace, it will not be neglected, but where there is a Decay of all Grace; however Men may please themselves with other Pretences. And when they are thus ensnared, every foolish Prejudice, every Provocation, every wanton Opinion and Imagination will confirm them in, and increase their gradual Backsliding.

And as it is with Believers, as unto the hearing of the Word in general, so it is as unto the Degrees of Advantage which they find by it. When Men have enjoyed the Dispensation of the Word in a peculiar manner, Spiritual and Effectual, if they can be content to forego it, for that which is more cold and lifeless, provided it possesseth the same time, and outward Form with the other, it is no great Evidence that their Souls do prosper. It is therefore those alone, who having a sense of the Efficacy of the Word on their Souls and Consciences unto all the holy Ends of it, who cleave unto it with Spiritual Love and Delight. They continually ⟨p. 250⟩remember what holy Impressions it hath made on them, what Engagements it hath brought their Souls into, what encouragements unto Faith and Obedience it hath furnished them withal, and long after renewed Sense of its Enjoyments. When we do not find in our selves this Foundation of Spiritual delight in the Dispensation of the Gospel, we can have no great Evidence that our Affections are renewed.